Click to enlargeThe 2006 ALMS season will wind down next weekend at Laguna Seca, and teams are already looking toward next year's effort. To that end, Penske Racing and Porsche have made the official announcement that they will once again partner for the 2007 ALMS season. As was the case this year, Penske will field two cars and contest only the ALMS races. Other events, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, are out. Penske has already locked up the 2006 LMP2 team championship, while Porsche has clinched both manufacturer's titles (chassis and engine). Penske/Porsche drivers Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr sit 1-2 in the LMP2 driver's championship standings heading into the final race.
Earlier this month, Porsche
unveiled the 2007 RS Spyder, which is more aerodynamic, more powerful, and easier to maintain than the 2006 car. This week, the automaker showed it off in the yellow and red DHL livery that the Penske cars will once again sport next season.
ALMS '07 should be enormously entertaining, as the LMP2 class will see Acura join the fray, creating an instant rivalry with Porsche. Add in the independents like Intersport and you've got the makings for some compelling drama on the track. One could make a strong case that LMP2, and not the Audi-dominated LMP1, is going to be
the class to watch.
Starting next year, the RS Spyder will be available to privateer efforts as well, though it remains to be seen if any other than the Penske duo will contest ALMS. It will be interesting to see if someone decides to independently run one of the Spyders at Le Mans.
So, even though the 2006 American Le Mans Series is wrapping up, there's no shortage of things to talk about. After the jump, we have a set of galleries that'll let you compare the 2006 and 2007 cars, as well as a selection of photos of the Penske Spyders contesting their inaugural ALMS season.
(Gallery, press release after the jump)
[Sources: Porsche, ALMS]